Around 60 countries under investigation by the United States for forced labour could face additional tariffs as part of a new proposal from the US Trade Representative (USTR).
According to news reports, the proposal would impose extra duties of either 10% or 12.5% on nearly all products from the economies under review.
A 10% rate has been suggested for Canada, Ecuador, the European Union, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan, all of which already enforce forced labour import bans, according to USTR.
The same rate would also be implemented for Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Malaysia, and Taiwan, as they have committed to such measures through reciprocal trade agreements.
The United Kingdom is also included in the 10% group, with USTR stating that it has implemented a partial regime aimed at preventing imports of certain forced labour goods.
All other investigated economies would face a proposed tariff of 12.5%. Those listed in the information provided include China, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The proposed measures are not final. Reuters reports that the USTR would accept public comments on the proposed tariffs and other remedies through July 6, with a public hearing scheduled for July 7.
